Paladin Sets Sights on the Blue Grass Stakes After Risen Star Victory

Feb 23

The unbeaten colt Paladin has quickly become one of the most intriguing 3-year-olds on the Road to the Kentucky Derby — and now his connections have pointed him toward the Blue Grass Stakes as his next major prep.

Trainer Chad Brown confirmed after Paladin’s effort in the Risen Star Stakes that this Grade 1 test on April 4 at Keeneland will be his springboard toward the Kentucky Derby.

Risen Star Recap: A Statement Win

Paladin continued his perfect record with a gutsy victory in the Risen Star at Fair Grounds. Running three-for-three in his career, the $1.9 million Gun Runner colt showed maturity and tactical speed while staging a determined stretch drive to deny rivals like Golden Tempo and Chip Honcho.

That performance not only bolstered his credentials on the Derby trail, it also pushed him atop various 3-year-old polls and early Kentucky Derby leaderboards, making him one of the early favorites worth watching.

Pedigree & Profile

Sire: Gun Runner (by Candy Ride)
Dam: Secret Sigh (by Tapit)
Owner: Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brant, Brook Smith & Summer Wind Equine
Record: 3 – 3 – 0 – 0
Earnings: ~$484,000
Trainer: Chad Brown
Points: 60 on the Road to the Derby standings

His pedigree blends classic stamina and early speed, a combination that makes him particularly interesting as races stretch to 1 1/8 miles and beyond.

Why the Blue Grass Stakes Matters

The Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland is one of the most pivotal preps on the Derby trail — offering 170 qualifying points and attracting a competitive sophomore cast every spring. A strong Blue Grass effort can catapult a contender into the top tier of Derby betting and position him perfectly for the 1 1/4-mile classic at Churchill Downs.

For Paladin, this will be his first Grade 1 assignment of the year, and it gives him a chance to prove he can handle both a deeper field and top-flight competition at this level.

What’s Next for Paladin

With his next start set for April 4, all eyes will be on:

How he handles higher pressure against elite rivals
Whether his tactical speed translates over a stiff early pace
Whether he continues to improve his speed figures

Handicappers are already adjusting his Derby outlook upward — some books have him as low as 6-1 in futures odds after the Risen Star win — a reflection of his rising stock among Derby contenders.

Bottom Line: A Derby Contender to Watch

Paladin isn’t just another talented 3-year-old — he’s a colt on a clear upward trajectory, with a perfect record, an impressive graded-stakes performance under his belt, and a forthcoming shot at a Grade 1 title in the Blue Grass Stakes.

If he continues his improvement and handles the step up in class with ease, he could very well emerge as one of the leading contenders in the early Kentucky Derby picture.

Stay tuned — the Blue Grass could be Paladin’s breakout moment on the national stage.